Girl, 8, finalist in national competition

HURON — At just 8 years old, Eerie Kocher has big dreams, a love for performing and an opportunity to take her talents to the national stage. The Huron girl is currently competing in the national Next Rising Star competition. She has the chance to win $20,000 and appear in a Kidz Bop music video. Competition a 'natural fit' For Eerie, the opportunity brings together several passions she loves most: music, dance, cheerleading and performing. She has been involved in gymnastics and dance since she was 1. Her love for Kidz Bop has also grown over the years with Eerie and her family attending Kidz Bop concerts for the past two years. Her mother, Heather, said the combination of those interests made the competition a natural fit, giving Eerie the chance to perform in front of an audience, showcase her skills and be part of something connected to a group she admires "I'm so proud of her," Heather said. "It's so cool to watch her grow into her own person. She's got her own interests and style, and I'm just so proud." Overcoming obstacles Eerie's journey has included challenges from the very beginning. She was born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and spent 13 days in the neonatal intensive care unit. She was later placed into foster care with Heather, who eventually adopted her after two and a half years. Today Eerie is a funny, loving and spirited little girl who enjoys making people smile and being involved in activities she loves, Heather said. Along with her passion for performing, she has big aspirations for the future, including becoming an attorney and a mother someday. How far can she go? Winning the competition would mean more than just a prize for Eerie. Heather said the $20,000 could help her daughter continue pursuing her interests, whether through cheerleading or eventually attending college. It would also provide some financial security, allowing Eerie to participate in activities without having to depend as heavily on others for support. As the family works to spread the word about the competition, Heather hopes other families will be encouraged to pursue opportunities for their children, even when the path forward seems uncertain. "Just try," she said. "Try to reach out and find somewhere that will support you." When the family first began the competition, Heather wasn't sure how far they would get. "I thought, 'I don't know that many people. We'll never go very far,'" she said. "But when you start reaching out to friends and more, you find out you have more support than you realize." Now Heather hopes the Huron community and beyond will continue showing up for Eerie as she works toward her dream. "We really appreciate everyone taking the time out of their day to support Eerie and our family and help her pursue her dreams," Heather said. "If there's anything we could ever do to help support the community, we would do it, too." For Eerie, the competition is a chance to share her personality, showcase her talents and take another step toward the things she hopes to accomplish. With the support of her community, this 8-year-old Huron girl is finding out just how far a little encouragement can go. Vote for Eerie This competition relies on public voting with supporters able to cast one free vote every 24 hours. People can vote for Eerie by visiting https://nextrisingstar.org/2026/eerie-b550. This current round of voting, cutting down from 20 finalists to 15, ends later this week.